Indian Evidence Act, 1872

The case involved the murder of Zahida Begum and her son Ishlam, whose bodies were recovered from a septic tank after appellant No.1, Asar Mohammad, confessed and led police to the site. The trial court convicted all three accused under Sections 302 and 201 IPC, sentencing them to death (later commuted to life). On app…

The appellant Mukesh Singh was convicted of murder, robbery and related offences based primarily on the identification of the injured eyewitness Sushil Kumar, who identified him in court after the accused had refused to attend a test identification parade (TIP). The accused argued that his refusal to participate in the…

The State of Maharashtra alleged that the appellants were members of an organized crime syndicate operating the illegal "Mumbai Matka" gambling network. Police raided a gambling den, recorded confessions of several accused, including the appellants, by an Additional Superintendent of Police (Addl. SP) under Section 18 …

An FIR (No.477) recorded the death of Amarjit Singh and injuries to his nephew Manjeet Singh, naming five persons as perpetrators. Only one accused, Sartaj Singh, was charge‑sheeted; the other four private respondents were placed in column‑2. During trial, the victim (PW1) reiterated the allegations against the private…

The State of Haryana prosecuted 148 workers for offences including murder arising from a factory fire. After the prosecution examined 102 witnesses and the accused gave statements under Section 313 CrPC, the defence sought recall of several prosecution witnesses under Section 311 CrPC, alleging that the lead counsel ha…

Sasan Power Ltd entered into Agreement‑I with the American company NAC, which contained an arbitration clause governed by English law and seated in London. Two years later the parties executed Agreement‑II, a tripartite deed involving Sasan Power, NACC India (a subsidiary of NAC) and NAC, which transferred NAC's rights…

The Supreme Court examined petitions seeking directions to set up State Human Rights Commissions (SHRCs) in several states that had failed to do so under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The Court held that the word "may" in Section 21 of the Act does not make the power to constitute SHRCs discretionary; it is…

The appellant, Anuj Kumar Gupta, was convicted for the murder of Chhotu Kumar Das based largely on a confessional statement he gave to the investigating officer (PW‑9) that led police to the victim’s body in a river. The trial court sentenced him to death, which the High Court later commuted to life imprisonment. The a…

The appellant was convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC for stabbing and further assaulting the deceased, who later died. The prosecution relied on a dying declaration recorded by a police officer after medical certification of fitness, corroborated by an eye‑witness, forensic blood‑group evidence, the recovered kn…

The appellant Shudhakar was convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC for allegedly setting his wife on fire. The deceased gave three dying declarations: the first, recorded by a Naib Tehsildar, exonerated the husband and claimed the fire originated from a stove; the second and third, recorded later by a Tehsildar and …

Manoj Pratap Singh was convicted of kidnapping, raping and murdering a seven-and-a-half-year-old mentally and physically disabled girl. The prosecution proved its case through a complete chain of circumstantial evidence, including DNA matches, blood‑stained clothing, the victim’s body recovered at the appellant’s direc…

The appellant aunt and nephew were convicted for murdering the deceased husband, an Upper Division Clerk, based on circumstantial evidence. The prosecution proved that the death occurred at 1.30 a.m., the victims were found dead in bed, the accused were present, and the nephew’s statement under Section 27 led to the re…

The appellant, Rajput Jabbarsingh Malaji, was convicted under Section 302 IPC for murdering his brother Jethusing by striking him on the face with an axe. The prosecution relied on the dying victim's wife (PW‑3) who identified the appellant, corroborated by two brothers (PW‑5, PW‑6) whose statements were recorded under…

Dashrath was convicted under Sections 7 and 13(1)(d) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for demanding and accepting a bribe. He challenged the conviction on four grounds: the sanction to prosecute was mechanically granted, the investigation was conducted by an Inspector of Police contrary to Sect…

The appellant, Maghavendra Pratap Singh (Pankaj Singh), was convicted for the murder of businessman Goverdhan Aggarwal and related offences under Sections 302, 201, 120B of the IPC and the Arms Act, based largely on circumstantial evidence. The prosecution’s case lacked any eyewitnesses, direct forensic linkage, or rel…

The plaintiffs filed a suit claiming ownership of several properties on the basis of a Will dated 20‑05‑1991 executed by the deceased Sri Sangappa and sought to declare a trust created by the defendants void. The defendants challenged the genuineness of the Will, pointing to numerous irregularities such as the use of d…

The appellant, Dipakbhai Jagdishchandra Patel, was implicated in a counterfeit currency case after co‑accused 1‑3 claimed the fake notes originated from his residence. No counterfeit notes were actually recovered from his home and the only incriminating material was the co‑accused statements recorded by police under Se…

The Delhi Administration appealed the acquittal of Vidya Gupta, a sweet shop vendor, who was charged under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 for storing adulterated ghee used to make jalebis. The Supreme Court held that Section 7, read with its explanation, deems any person who stores adulterated food for t…

The wife, Lalita, committed suicide within five years of her marriage, alleging daily quarrels and dowry demands by her mother‑in‑law and father‑in‑law. A dying declaration recorded by a Sub‑Divisional Magistrate detailed the harassment and the in‑laws’ presence at the time of the act. The trial court acquitted the acc…

The Supreme Court examined the murder of Patrangi Ramanaiah, who was stabbed by a group of accused during an unlawful assembly. The trial court and High Court had convicted most of the accused under Sections 302, 148 and 324 IPC, relying on eyewitness testimony, a dying declaration, and forensic evidence, while acquitt…

The Supreme Court examined whether Rule 5 of the Hot‑Re‑rolling Steel Mills Annual Capacity Determination Rules, 1997, which allows the annual capacity of production (ACP) to be deemed equal to actual production for the 1996‑97 year, creates a legal fiction and is ultra vires Section 3A of the Central Excise Act, 1944.…

The appellant Manmeet Singh (alias Goldie) was convicted under Section 396 of the Indian Penal Code for dacoity with murder, based on an alleged robbery of a large sum of money and the killing of Mohinder Singh. The prosecution alleged that five or more persons participated in the dacoity, but only the appellant was id…

The appellant was accused, along with a co‑accused, of kidnapping and murdering a 16‑year‑old girl in Assam. The prosecution relied on three circumstantial links: the victim was last seen with the appellant, the appellant’s extra‑judicial confessions to several villagers, and the recovery of the dead body after those c…

The case involved a fraud scheme where fake telegraphic transfers were used to withdraw Rs. 6.7 crore from a bank, the proceeds of which were allegedly used to purchase 205 gold bars that were later seized from accused Nandkumar Babulal Soni. The trial court convicted Soni under Sections 120B and 411 of the IPC, direct…

The appellant, Nanjappan, entered into a 1987 sale agreement to sell his sole property for Rs 45,000, receiving an advance of Rs 25,000, with the balance to be paid within 2½ years. The time for execution was extended repeatedly, ultimately spanning eight years, and the respondents paid a total advance of Rs 42,500. Th…

The case concerned the murder of Narayan in 1985, for which Munna Lal, Sheo Lal and Babu Ram were convicted under section 302 IPC based largely on the oral testimony of two eye‑witnesses, PW‑2 (Ram Vilas) and PW‑3 (Hemraj), and medical evidence. The Supreme Court examined the credibility of these witnesses, noting PW‑2…

The Union of India, as the owner of land covered by an Old Grant, issued a notice to resume a 3.398‑acre property in Landour Cantonment occupied by Vijay Krishna Uniyal, who sued for a permanent injunction claiming ownership based on a 1980 sale deed and long possession. The trial court, the first appellate court and t…

The appellants challenged the acquisition of their land for a residential‑commercial scheme, arguing that the State had improperly invoked the urgency clause under Section 17(4) of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 to dispense with the hearing mandated by Section 5A. The High Court had dismissed the writ petition, but on …

The plaintiff purchased a plot from a housing cooperative society by a registered sale deed dated 29‑12‑1981 and was placed in possession. The defendant later encroached on the land and erected a hut, prompting the plaintiff to sue for possession and mesne profits. The trial court and first appellate court dismissed th…

Parveen Kumar was married to Raksha Devi, who filed multiple complaints alleging cruelty, including an FIR under Section 498-A and a maintenance petition under Section 125 CrPC. Within two years of marriage, she died by ingesting aluminum phosphide tablets, and her brother lodged an FIR accusing the husband of cruelty …

The appellants, sons of the deceased donor, claimed that a property gifted by their father to the respondent was ancestral and that the donor lacked authority to execute the gift deed, alleging the deed was forged. The trial court held the property ancestral, a view affirmed by the first appellate court, but the Gujara…

S.P.S. Rathore, a senior police officer, was convicted under Section 354 IPC for molesting a minor girl, Ruchika, after she was forced into his office and embraced against her will. The prosecution relied primarily on the testimony of a single eye‑witness, PW‑13 (Aradhana), whose account was corroborated by other witne…

The appellant Dhal Singh Dewangan was accused of murdering his wife and five daughters. The prosecution relied on statements of village witnesses (PWs 1,2,3,5) that they heard the appellant’s mother (PW‑6) accuse him, and on circumstantial evidence such as the presence of a blood‑stained knife and the appellant’s uncon…

The deceased Rajni died from severe burns after kerosene oil was poured on her and she was set alight. Her dying declaration named her husband Mahender Singh, her brother‑in‑law Prem Kumar Gulati and his wife Simla as participants, but did not specify who actually poured the oil or lit the fire. The trial court and Hig…

Delta Distilleries supplied Indian Made Foreign Liquor to United Spirits under a contract that made the buyer responsible for sales tax. A dispute arose over a set‑off/refund claimed by Delta from the Sales Tax Department, which United Spirits argued reduced its tax burden. The arbitral tribunal allowed United Spirits …

The police, acting on secret information, seized four sealed bags containing 150 kg of poppy husk from the appellant's residence. No samples were taken at the time of seizure; instead, the Station House Officer later broke the seals, mixed the contents, and collected samples before resealing the bags. The appellant was…

The appeals challenge the Special Judge’s order on charge (24‑12‑2021) and charge‑framing order (03‑03‑2022) against Karnataka Emta Coal Mines Ltd (KECML) and its former MD for alleged conspiracy to illegally sell coal washery rejects. The Court examined whether the CBI’s investigation was predicated solely on the 2013…

The appellant, Irfan, was convicted and sentenced to death for allegedly setting fire to a room that killed his son and two brothers, based primarily on two dying declarations. The prosecution argued that the appellant had motive and that eye‑witnesses saw him pour inflammable substance and lock the door. The defence c…

The State of Uttarakhand appealed the acquittal of Girish Singh and Jodh Singh, who were charged under Sections 304B r/w 34 and 306 r/w 34 of the IPC for the alleged dowry death of Ishwari Devi, who committed suicide by burning within seven years of marriage. The High Court convicted them, relying on unproduced letters…

The Supreme Court examined an editorial published by Arun Shourie that criticised a report of a Commission of Inquiry headed by a sitting Supreme Court Judge, Justice Kuldip Singh. Dr. Subramanian Swamy filed contempt petitions alleging that the editorial scandalised the Court. The Court was asked to decide (i) whether…

The appellants were seized at night while travelling in a jeep that contained ten bags of poppy husk (total 410 kg). They were convicted under Section 15 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 and sentenced to ten years of rigorous imprisonment. On appeal they argued that the prosecution failed to …

The appellant, Kaliya, mother‑in‑law, was convicted of murdering her daughter‑in‑law, Guddi, who was burnt alive in the appellant's house. Guddi’s dying declaration, stating that Kaliya poured kerosene on her, was recorded by a doctor and a nurse, but the original document was lost and only a carbon copy was produced. …

Ayyappan Textiles Ltd., a manufacturer of cotton yarn under heading 52.03, was inspected on 30 August 1993 and two registers and a file of weekly test reports were seized. The Central Excise Department issued a show‑cause notice alleging that the company had been producing yarn of higher counts (40s, 43s, 60s, 82s) tha…

The case arose from a violent incident on 14 November 2012 in which members of a political rival family were attacked, resulting in three deaths. The prosecution relied on three key witnesses – PW‑1, PW‑2 and a 10‑year‑old child PW‑9 – as well as fingerprint and weapon‑recovery evidence to secure convictions of accused…

Maharana Pratap Singh, a constable in the CID dog squad, was dismissed from service in 1996 following departmental proceedings that found him guilty of four charges, while he was later acquitted of the related criminal charges. The appellant challenged the dismissal, alleging denial of due process, vague charges, and t…

The appellant, Puran Chand, was convicted under Section 376 IPC for raping a 17‑year‑old girl who later attempted suicide. He appealed, claiming false implication due to enmity, a 20‑day delay in filing the FIR, and that the medical report showing an intact hymen created reasonable doubt. The Supreme Court held that th…

The case concerns the murder of Suhas on 5 July 2011, for which three accused—Netaji Achyut Shinde (A‑1), Samadhan Shinde (A‑2) and Balasaheb Shinde (A‑3)—were charged under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC. A telephonic intimation at 17:45 was treated by the trial court as the FIR, leading to the conviction of A‑2…

The State of Madhya Pradesh prosecuted Balveer Singh for the murder, concealment and conspiracy to murder his wife, relying heavily on the testimony of the 7‑year‑old daughter, Rani, as the sole eye‑witness. The High Court acquitted the accused, holding that the child’s delayed statement and residence with an inimical …

The appellant, a neighbour, abducted a three‑year‑old girl from her home under the pretext of giving her biscuits, subsequently raping and murdering her. The trial court convicted him under IPC sections 364, 376, 377, 302 and 201 and imposed death for the murder, which the High Court affirmed. On appeal, the Supreme Co…

The Supreme Court examined contempt proceedings initiated suo motu by the Allahabad High Court against police personnel accused of illegally detaining a man whose whereabouts were unknown. The High Court had presumed the detainee dead under Section 108 of the Evidence Act, despite only 4½ years having elapsed, and conv…

The appellants were convicted under Sections 364, 302, 120-B and 201 of the IPC for the abduction and murder of Gurpal Singh, based largely on the testimony of an alleged eyewitness, CCTV footage, and confessional statements made to police. The Supreme Court examined the credibility of the eyewitness, noting material o…

The case arose from a land‑dispute over a pathway between the prime accused Surjaram and the deceased Ladduram, which escalated into a violent clash on 18‑07‑1989 resulting in two deaths and several injuries. The trial courts and the High Court delivered mixed judgments, convicting some accused under Section 302 r.w. S…

The appellant, K.V. Prakash Babu, was convicted under Sections 498‑A and 306 of the IPC for the suicide of his wife, who allegedly suspected him of an extra‑marital affair. The prosecution alleged that the husband's alleged relationship and the resulting suspicion constituted mental cruelty that drove the wife to kill …

The case involves the death of Roshni, who suffered 100% burns and gave a dying declaration to a Judicial Magistrate in hospital after a doctor certified her fitness to speak. The trial court acquitted the four accused, rejecting the dying declaration and relying on the victim's brother's testimony that the accused wer…

The CBI appealed against the Delhi High Court’s order quashing a Special Judge’s grant of pardon to respondent No.2 (Abhishek Verma) under Section 306 of the CrPC, who had confessed to forging a fax message on the instructions of respondent No.1 (Ashok Kumar Aggarwal). The Supreme Court examined the scope of the court’…

The CBI filed a case against Ashok Kumar Aggarwal for possessing disproportionate assets and obtained sanction for prosecution under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The respondent challenged the validity of the sanction, alleging that material was not placed before the Finance Minister and that th…

Govind Singh, a former Social Security Minister, resigned on 12 January 2002 and filed his nomination as an independent candidate on 23 January 2002. He was elected MLA from the Sherpur (SC) constituency on 13 February 2002. The defeated candidate, Harchand Kaur, filed an election petition alleging that Singh had indul…

The trial court acquitted Ms. Uma and co‑accused of murder, holding that the prosecution had not proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, particularly discounting medical evidence in the absence of an eyewitness. The State appealed, and the Madras High Court reversed the acquittal, convicting the appellants on charges …

The State of Karnataka alleged that a police constable (A1) borrowed money from a fellow police officer who later demanded repayment, leading A1's wife (A2) to invite the victim to their home and murder him with two choppers. The trial court convicted A2, A3 and A4 under Section 302 read with Section 34, while acquitti…

The case arose from a 2005 drug seizure in Chandigarh where the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) recovered heroin from a car driven by Satnam Singh and later arrested Balwinder Singh based on a confession recorded under Section 67 of the NDPS Act. The High Court had upheld both convictions, relying on the confessional st…

The respondent, Ballabh Vyas, claimed ownership of a small shop (Mulgi) based on a registered sale deed dated 27 June 1985 and sought eviction of the appellants, who were tenants succeeding the original lessee Balraj. The appellants denied the respondent’s title, asserting that Balraj had purchased the property for Rs.…

The trial court decreed specific performance of a sale agreement between the plaintiffs and the defendant. The defendant appealed and, during the pendency of the appeal, filed an application under Order XLI Rule 27(1) of the CPC to lead additional documentary evidence. The High Court admitted this evidence without firs…

The dispute arose from a civil suit concerning the partition of ancestral land, which led to a decree directing the Tahsildar to mutate the name of the first respondent in revenue records. The Tahsildar failed to comply, prompting a contempt petition that was initially allowed by a Single Judge but later set aside by a…

The appellant, Sanjay Rajak, was convicted under IPC s.364(A) for kidnapping a 5‑6‑year‑old child and sentenced to life imprisonment. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence: a classmate’s testimony that a man with a covered face, addressed as "uncle" by the child, abducted him; parents’ identification of the…

The election for the 9th Manipur Legislative Assembly was won by MD Alauddin Khan by a margin of two votes over Karam Thamarjit Singh, who filed an election petition under Section 100(1)(d)(iii) alleging impersonation of dead voters in certain polling stations and seeking a recount and declaration of the election as vo…

The appellant Ohan Singh was convicted for the death of his brother Shiv Ram, who died after being struck on the head with an iron rod during a family property dispute. The prosecution relied on Shiv Ram's dying declaration, recorded by a Head Constable after a doctor certified that he was fit to speak, which identifie…

The appellant, Davinder Singh, was convicted by the trial court and the Punjab & Haryana High Court for offences under Sections 376, 452 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code, based on the allegation that he threatened the prosecutrix with a knife at her residence. On appeal before the Supreme Court, the appellant contended…

The appellant accused were convicted of pre‑meditated murder based on the "last seen together" theory, alleged extra‑judicial confessions, recoveries of alleged weapons and a motorcycle, and serological evidence. The Supreme Court examined whether the time gap between the accused being last seen with the deceased and t…

The case concerned the alleged murder of Amina and her three daughters by setting them on fire, for which the accused, Aejaz Ahmad Sheikh's brother, was initially convicted and sentenced to death. The High Court later acquitted him, prompting appeals by the State and the complainant. The Supreme Court examined the reli…

The State of Uttar Pradesh initiated disciplinary proceedings against Ram Prakash Singh, an Assistant Engineer, alleging embezzlement of Panchayat funds. The enquiry officer prepared a report without examining any witnesses, without furnishing the report or supporting documents to the respondent, and the disciplinary a…

The case involved a violent clash between members of two political parties in Kerala, resulting in the murder of a CPI(M) member. Sixteen accused were charged, but the trial court acquitted A-10 to A-16 while convicting five others. The High Court upheld the convictions but reversed the acquittals of A-10 to A-13, rely…

The accused were tried for murder, dacoity and robbery after the victim's jeep was allegedly hijacked; the trial court acquitted them of murder and dacoity but convicted them of robbery. The State appealed, and the Gujarat High Court reversed the acquittal, convicting the accused of murder and related offences. The Sup…

The appellant Naresh Kumar was convicted under Section 306 of the IPC for allegedly abetting his wife Rani's suicide in 1993, based largely on the fact that she died within seven years of marriage and that he repeatedly demanded money for a business. The prosecution relied on the testimony of the deceased's brother and…

The appellant Vahitha was convicted under Section 302 IPC for allegedly strangling her five‑year‑old daughter in the house of her mother‑in‑law. The prosecution relied on the testimony of the mother‑in‑law, two other family members, and two independent neighbours who saw the appellant near the child's body, as well as …

The case involved the murder of money‑lender RL and his wife during a robbery of their house‑cum‑shop, where the accused A‑1 (Gordhan Lal), A‑2 (Bharat Kumar) and A‑3 (Ramesh) were convicted of murder, robbery and related offences. The prosecution relied on a chain of circumstantial evidence, including blood‑stained cl…

The appellants Thammaraya and Basappa were convicted for murder and concealment of dead body under Sections 302, 201 and 34 of the IPC based largely on circumstantial evidence and alleged disclosure statements that led to the recovery of certain articles. The prosecution's case hinged on the recovery of a gold chain, d…

The respondent Mohammed Basheer claimed ownership of about two acres of jenmam land, asserting that it was not a private forest under the Kerala Private Forests (Vesting and Assignment) Act, 1971 and that a certificate of purchase issued by the Land Tribunal under s.72K of the Kerala Land Reforms Act, 1963 vested title…

The plaintiff, Shamsudeen, claimed inheritance rights in two properties originally owned by his grandmother Zainam Beevi, alleging that he was the son of Mohammed Ilias (a Muslim) and Valliamma (a Hindu) born before Ilias's death. The defendants contested his paternity, arguing that the marriage between Ilias and Valli…

Pooja Pal, the widow of slain MLA Raju Pal, alleged that the state police and administration were complicit or indifferent in the murder of her husband and sought a fresh investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The High Court dismissed her writ petition, but the Supreme Court held that when an inves…

The Supreme Court upheld the convictions of Harpal Singh @ Chhota and co‑accused for kidnapping, abduction for ransom and conspiracy under IPC §§ 364A, 395, 412, 471, 1208 and Arms Act § 25. The Court found the victim’s testimony – recorded under §§ 161 and 164 Cr.P.C. and reiterated at trial – to be truthful and suffi…

The appellant Surinder Kumar was convicted under Sections 304B and 498A of the IPC for the death of his wife, Kiran Bala, who suffered 90% burn injuries and gave a dying declaration blaming him for dowry demands. The appellant challenged the admissibility of the declaration, arguing that his wife was too injured to mak…

The appellant, Kunjumon, entered a house with a common intention to commit robbery, threatened an 11‑year‑old girl and subsequently dragged a 90‑year‑old woman from her cot, beating her on the head with a wall clock, leading to her death. He was convicted by the trial court and the High Court under IPC sections 302 (mu…

The appellant, Surinder Kumar, was accused of setting fire to his lover Kamlesh Rani, who later died from severe burns. The sole evidence against him was a dying declaration recorded by an executive magistrate at a hospital, which alleged that Kumar had poured kerosene on her and set her ablaze. The trial court rejecte…

Jaswant Singh filed several suits concerning ownership of land in Simbli, Hoshiarpur, and the parties entered into a compromise on 27 November 1972 which led to a decree on 8 December 1972. The dispute later centered on the interpretation of that compromise—whether Singh owned 12.5 acres or only 8 acres—and on the admi…

The case concerned the kidnapping and murder of 15‑year‑old Ajit Pal, for which three relatives – Rajesh Yadav, Raja Yadav and Om Prakash Yadav – were convicted and sentenced to death (two of them) and life imprisonment based largely on circumstantial evidence and confessions recorded before they were formally accused.…

The original landholders, whose holdings exceeded the ceiling under the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976, were assessed as surplus and transferred a major portion of the land to Mayur Sahkari Awas Samiti in 1982. The Act deemed such surplus land vested in the State, but the authorities never took physical …

Syed Basheer Ahmed filed a suit for specific performance of a sale agreement concerning two parcels of land. The trial court found the plaintiff ready to pay the balance consideration and decreed specific performance. The High Court reversed this decision, holding that the agreement showed a material alteration—differe…

The dispute concerned two ancestral lands in Goa, "M" and "B", originally owned by the grandfather of brothers Suriaji and Gones. A 1915 sale deed conveyed portions of the lands to Suriaji, with an accompanying 1919 settlement deed stating that Suriaji had paid half the price on behalf of Gones and would transfer Gones…

During a joint operation in January 1999, Nirmal Singh was apprehended and offered a choice to be searched before a magistrate or a gazetted officer under Section 50 of the ND PS Act. He chose a gazetted officer, and a search uncovered two kilograms of heroin; he also made a confession to a customs officer under Sectio…

The State of Punjab appealed the High Court's acquittal of Kewal Krishan, who had been convicted for murder under Section 302 IPC. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence: the deceased was last seen with the accused on 10‑12‑1998, the body was discovered on 12‑12‑1998, an alleged extra‑judicial confession to …

The testator B. Sheena Nairi executed a Will on 15 May 1983 bequeathing all his immovable properties to his sister Laxmi Nairthy, cancelling an earlier Power of Attorney in favour of his brother‑in‑law. After his death, his wife applied for mutation of the properties in her name, but the sister filed a suit seeking dec…

The case concerns a pre‑planned terrorist attack on the police guarding the American Centre in Calcutta on 22 January 2002, which resulted in five police deaths and multiple injuries. The accused, including Md. Jamiludin Nasir and Aftab Ahmed Ansari, were convicted under the waging‑war provisions of the IPC and various…

The case concerned the alleged murder of Kusum Rani, who was burnt alive by her parents‑in‑law. The prosecution relied primarily on the victim’s dying declaration recorded by an executive magistrate and a thumb impression on the FIR, along with medical evidence of 100 % burns. The High Court acquitted the accused, hold…

The State of Rajasthan convicted Darshan Singh for murder under Section 302 IPC based on the testimony of Geeta, a deaf‑and‑dumb eyewitness, whose statement was recorded in sign language through her father who acted as interpreter. The High Court set aside the conviction, holding that the witness and the interpreter we…

The appellants, Dakkata Balaram Reddy and Chinapana Gopi, were convicted for the murder of Vetcha Kesava Rao's son and wife and for robbery of gold ornaments and cash, based largely on circumstantial evidence and the recovery of stolen property from their possession. The prosecution presented testimony of three indepen…

The deceased Sushila, married to Devender Singh, went missing six months after her marriage and her body was later recovered from a river. The prosecution alleged that she was subjected to dowry harassment, including a demand for Rs.2 lakh or a house, and that she died from injuries before falling into the river, const…

The petitioner, Sundar, was convicted of kidnapping and murdering a seven‑year‑old child and sentenced to death by the trial court, a decision affirmed by the High Court and the Supreme Court. He filed a review petition alleging errors in the evidence, especially the admissibility of call‑detail records (CDRs) without …

Om Prakash and another, joint owners of a property, filed an eviction suit under the U.P. Urban Buildings (Regulation of Letting, Rent and Eviction) Act, 1972 against Mishri Lal (deceased) represented by his legal heirs. The tenants admitted tenancy under the appellants' grandmother but denied the appellants as landlor…

The Supreme Court reviewed a series of criminal appeals arising from the 1993 Bombay serial blasts, all tried under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1987 (TADA). The appeals concerned convictions for offences such as unauthorised possession of arms and explosives (s.3(3), s.5, s.6 TADA), conspi…

The Supreme Court examined a series of appeals arising from the Designated Court's judgments in the 1993 Bombay bomb blast case under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, 1987 (TADA). The Court held that confessional statements recorded under Section 15 of TADA are substantive evidence admissible a…

The appellant, M. Vijayakumar, was convicted under IPC sections 306, 342 and 365 for allegedly kidnapping and wrongfully confining the deceased, leading to the latter's suicide. The prosecution argued that the appellant’s abduction and confinement forced the victim to commit suicide, thereby satisfying the elements of …

In March 1994 a group of caste Hindus attacked the hut of Murugaiyan, the father‑in‑law of PW1, setting it alight and assaulting him with sickles, resulting in his death. The prosecution relied on the testimony of PW1, PW2, PW3 and PW5, along with medical evidence, to identify twenty‑four accused; the trial court convi…

The State of Andhra Pradesh (appellant) challenged a civil suit filed by Mis. Star Bone Mill & Fertiliser Co. (respondent) seeking declaration of title over a 3.525‑acre land. The respondent relied on a registered sale deed dated 11‑Nov‑1959 executed by M/s A. Allauddin & Sons, who were merely lessees of the State sinc…

The Supreme Court considered a Special Leave Petition filed by Rekha Sengar seeking bail under Section 439 of the CrPC after being charged in a non‑bailable offence under the PC&PNDT Act for alleged prenatal sex determination and sex‑selective abortion. A sting operation led to the seizure of an unregistered ultrasound…

Paul was married to Jessy and was accused of cruelty and of causing her death. The trial court initially acquitted him, but the Kerala High Court set aside the acquittal, remanded the case for further examination under Section 313 Cr.PC, and the trial court subsequently convicted him under Section 302 IPC, sentencing h…

Vinod Kumar, an octroi inspector, was convicted under Sections 7 and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs.500. The prosecution relied on the recovery of the tainted notes, the testimony of an independent clerk (PW‑6), a shadow witness (PW‑7) who was later declared ho…

The case concerns the 1999 arson and murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons by a mob in Orissa. The trial court convicted fourteen accused, sentencing Dara Singh (A‑1) to death and the others to life imprisonment; the High Court modified Dara Singh's sentence to life imprisonment and acquitted …

Samitiri Devi (appellant) purchased a house in 1985 with her own funds, but the sale deed was executed in the names of her son and brother‑in‑law. They later sold half of the property to Sampuran Singh (respondent No.1) on 13‑April‑1987 without her consent, despite a notice she had posted on 8‑April‑1987 informing him …

The appellant, Moturu Nalini Kanth, filed a suit as a minor claiming absolute title to the properties of the deceased Venkubayamma based on a registered will dated 03.05.1982 and a registered adoption deed dated 20.04.1982. The trial court upheld the suit, but the Andhra Pradesh High Court reversed the decision, holdin…

The appellant, a widow, sought to have her private counsel assist the prosecution in a murder trial by making oral arguments, examining and cross‑examining witnesses, invoking Section 301 read with the proviso to Section 24(8) of the CrPC. The trial court and the Calcutta High Court rejected the application, holding th…

The Supreme Court examined the convictions of three accused (A1‑Pratham, A2‑Pancho and A3‑Gajraj) for murder and robbery of a tractor owner. The prosecution’s case hinged on an extra‑judicial confession made by A1, five months after the incident, to a villager with no close relationship, and on the belated recovery of …

Sansar Chand, a long‑time organiser of illegal wildlife trade, was convicted under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 for receiving leopard skins. The prosecution’s case rested on an extra‑judicial confession by a co‑accused, Balwan, which was corroborated by oral and documentary evidence, including recovered hunting …

The deceased, Neelam, died from extensive burn injuries within seven years of her marriage to the son of the appellants, who were her father‑in‑law and mother‑in‑law. The prosecution alleged that the accused demanded a motorcycle and Rs 50,000 as dowry and threatened her, invoking the presumption of dowry death under S…

The appellant purchased a two‑acre property in 1963 from Puliyankaladi, who had earlier acquired it through a registered sale deed (Exhibit A1) dated 27‑08‑1928. The trial court and the first appellate court held that the certified copy of Exhibit A1, a public document, was admissible as secondary evidence to prove the…

The appellants, a Deputy Superintendent of Police and a constable, were convicted for abducting seven members of a family and for their alleged murder. The prosecution alleged that the victims were taken on 29 October 1991, later seen in various police stations, and never returned, leading to convictions under IPC sect…

M/S Payal Vision Ltd., the landlord, filed a suit for possession and mesne profits against Radhika Choudhary, the tenant, alleging a lease of Rs.50,000 per month and a notice under Section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act terminating the tenancy due to unauthorized structural changes. The tenant contested the nature…

The appellant, Haresh Mohandas Rajput, was accused of raping and murdering 10‑year‑old Pooja, whose body was discovered under a cot in his house with blood‑stained sheets and forensic evidence of sexual assault and strangulation. The prosecution relied solely on circumstantial evidence, including the location of the bo…

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence alleged that Suresh Kumar & Co. Impex Pvt. Ltd. and its directors under‑declared the retail selling price of imported branded food items, thereby evading customs duty. A show‑cause notice was issued, and the Adjudicating Authority confirmed the demand, interest and penalty. The C…

The plaintiff, Tilak Raj Bakshi, claimed that his brother (the first defendant) violated a family settlement by selling his one‑third share of a Chandigarh house to a stranger (the second defendant) without obtaining the written concurrence of the other brothers and without offering the share to the plaintiff as requir…

Satvir Singh, an Inspector Customs, was accused of demanding and accepting a bribe from complainant Ramesh Suri in 1989. The trial court acquitted him, finding that the prosecution had not proved the demand, acceptance, or recovery of illegal gratification and that the presumption under Section 20 of the Prevention of …

The appellant Jagroop Singh was convicted of murder under IPC sections 302, 34 and 201 based on circumstantial evidence that the victim was last seen with the accused, voluntary extra‑judicial confessions, and the recovery of a blood‑stained spade. The appellant challenged the conviction, arguing that the time gap betw…

Varalakshmi, an upper‑caste woman, married a Scheduled‑Caste man against her family's wishes. Six years later she disappeared after being lured by her paternal uncle, the appellant, who claimed her grandmother was ill. Her body was later found, showing death by smothering, and jewellery allegedly taken from her was rec…

The deceased woman was stabbed to death in her matrimonial home, leading to an initial prosecution of four in‑law family members under Sections 498A and 306 IPC, which resulted in acquittal. Two years later, the deceased's brother filed a complaint alleging that six family members, including A‑1 and A‑2, murdered her, …

The appellant Abhishek Singh was charged under several IPC offences, the Arms Act and MCOCA after a proclamation declared him an absconder. The Additional Director General of Police and Commissioner of Police granted sanction for prosecution under MCOCA, which the appellant challenged before the High Court and then the…

The appellants, a husband and wife, were accused of strangling a man to death in their rented house and attempting to conceal the body by pouring acid over it. The trial court convicted them and their daughter under Sections 302, 201 and 34 IPC, sentencing the parents to life imprisonment; the High Court later acquitte…

The appellant Deepak Gulati was convicted under Sections 365 and 376 of the IPC for allegedly enticing a 19‑year‑old woman with a false promise of marriage, confining her and having sexual intercourse. The woman voluntarily left home to marry the appellant, accompanied him to several locations, and did not raise any ob…

Charan Singh, the husband of the deceased Chhilo Kaur, was convicted under Sections 304B, 498A and 201 of the IPC for allegedly killing his wife over dowry demands. The trial court sentenced him to ten years' rigorous imprisonment under 304B, two years each under 498A and 201, which the High Court later reduced the 304…

The Supreme Court, exercising suo motu jurisdiction under Article 32, examined widespread inadequacies and inconsistencies in criminal trials across India, such as poor documentation of witnesses, exhibits, and material objects, and procedural delays. After issuing notices to all High Courts, State Governments and Unio…

Apollo Zipper India Ltd., which became the absolute owner of a commercial premises after a series of statutory transfers, served a quit notice under Section 106 of the Transfer of Property Act to its tenant, W. Newman & Co. Ltd., demanding arrears and vacant possession. The tenant sought leave to defend the summary evi…

The appellant, Md. Mannan, a mason employed in the victim's grandfather's house, sent a seven‑year‑old girl to a betel shop and subsequently abducted her on his bicycle, raping and murdering her. He later confessed, leading police to the body. He was convicted under IPC sections 366, 376, 302 and 201 and sentenced to d…

The respondents claimed that a lease (patta) of a government grazing land was granted to them by the Gram Panchayat in 1959 and filed a suit for permanent injunction without seeking a declaration of title. The appellants argued that the Panchayat lacked authority to lease the land, the lease deed was unproved, and the …

The husband filed for divorce on the ground of adultery and sought a DNA test of their son, born during the marriage, to establish paternity. The Family Court and the High Court ordered the DNA test, but the Supreme Court set aside those orders, holding that the conclusive presumption of legitimacy under Section 112 of…

The plaintiffs, heirs of Shri Partap Singh, sued Shiv Ram alleging ownership of certain lands and seeking possession and injunctions, while the defendant claimed to be a tenant and that the suit should be tried in the revenue court. The trial court, relying on oral testimony, held that the presumption of truth in the J…

The Supreme Court examined whether Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) was subject to the 24‑April‑1990 notification issued under the Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970, and whether the workmen who were engaged through contractors were direct employees of BHEL. The Court held that BHEL’s Haridwar ope…

The Supreme Court examined whether depositions taken by a magistrate under Chapter XV of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) before taking cognizance could be used as evidence for framing charges under Part B of Chapter XIX, and whether the accused is entitled to cross‑examine those witnesses before charges are framed. …

The petitioner filed a writ petition under Article 32 seeking a direction that all State governments upload copies of chargesheets filed under Section 173 of the Criminal Procedure Code on their websites, invoking the transparency principle established in Youth Bar Association of India v. Union of India. The petition r…

The deceased woman was found dead with her jewellery missing; the appellant had been present in her house the night before the incident and was later arrested with the missing ornaments recovered from his possession. The prosecution relied solely on circumstantial evidence – the appellant’s presence, a "last seen" test…

Three Italian tourists were accused of murdering their fellow tourist in a hotel room in Varanasi. The trial and appellate courts convicted them under Sections 302 and 34 of the IPC based on circumstantial evidence, including alleged motive, post‑mortem findings of strangulation, and the claim that they remained in the…

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of six accused, including the appellant Joshinder Yadav, for the dowry death of Bindula Devi under IPC sections 302 r/w 149, 498A and 201. The Court found that the father and brother of the deceased gave reliable testimony of continuous cruelty and harassment for dowry, and that …

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized large quantities of Tramadol and Zolpidem tablets in multiple operations and arrested Kashif and co‑accused. Kashif applied for bail, which the Delhi High Court granted solely on the ground that the NCB had not complied with Section 52A of the NDPS Act within a reasonable time,…

The appellant, Ashok Verma, was convicted under Sections 302, 201 and 498A of the IPC for the death of his wife, Pushpa, which occurred in their matrimonial home. He claimed the death was a suicide, pleaded an alibi that he was in a nearby garden, and argued that the non‑rupture of the hyoid bone indicated strangulatio…

The plaintiffs, heirs of Amin Lal, sued the State of Haryana and the Public Works Department for possession of land on the basis of revenue records, sale deeds and mutation entries. The trial court ruled in favour of the plaintiffs, holding that the State had not proved adverse possession. The State appealed and the fi…

The appellant, Jayantilal Verma, was convicted under Section 302 IPC for the strangulation death of his wife, Sahodara Bai, whose body was found in their matrimonial home. The prosecution's case rested primarily on the testimony of the step‑brother (PW‑1) and the post‑mortem report indicating homicidal asphyxia. Althou…

Baljinder Kaur, the sister‑in‑law of the deceased Sharanjit Kaur, was convicted under Section 304B IPC for dowry death based on a demand for a gold karra made two months after the marriage. The deceased died of poisoning, and the prosecution relied on a dying declaration that she was beaten and poisoned by the accused.…

The Supreme Court examined the custodial death of a kidnapping suspect who was arrested by three police officers and found dead in the lock‑up. The trial court had acquitted all accused, but the High Court convicted them under sections 302, 342, 218 and 193 IPC. The Court held that the arrest panchnama and register wer…

Indrakunwar was convicted under Section 302 IPC for allegedly killing a newborn child she was said to have delivered and then thrown into a pond. The prosecution’s case rested on circumstantial evidence and the accused's statement under Section 313 CrPC, but failed to establish any relationship between the accused and …

The appellant, Naveen (alias Ajay), was convicted and sentenced to death for the rape and murder of a three‑month‑old girl under multiple provisions of the IPC and the POCSO Act. The trial was completed in fifteen days, during which a legal‑aid counsel was appointed only hours before the case began and was not given su…

The case involved the suicide by self‑immolation of Akkamahadevi, married to the accused, who was alleged to have subjected her to mental and physical cruelty for dowry. The trial court convicted the accused under IPC sections 498A, 304B (read with s.34), and sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, based largely…

The appellant, S. Ramachandra Rao, sought to have his wife—who held a General Power of Attorney (GPA) for him and was also an enrolled advocate—appear in several civil suits as his GPA holder. The Trial Court allowed her to act in that capacity, but the High Court later set aside those orders and permitted her to appea…

The appellant, Santosh @ Rajesh @ Gopal, was convicted for the murder of Narayan Singh based on the recovery of a pistol from his possession and a ballistic report linking the weapon to the fatal bullet. The prosecution’s case relied on a disclosure statement made by a co-accused, which led to the discovery of the pist…

The appellant, Smt. Gargi, was convicted of murdering her husband by strangulation and subsequently hanging his body to simulate suicide, based largely on the testimony of the deceased's brother and sister. The prosecution alleged strained marital relations, illicit affairs, and a property dispute as motive, while the …

The appellant, Sd. Shabuddin, was convicted under Section 411 of the IPC for dishonestly receiving stolen property after being found in possession of cash amounts of Rs.25,000 and Rs.2,60,000, which he could not account for. Both he and co-accused Moulana were acquitted of theft (Section 379 IPC) by the Trial Court and…

K. Prabhakar Hegde, a former officer of Vijaya Bank (later merged with Bank of Baroda), was dismissed after disciplinary proceedings for alleged irregularities in approving temporary overdrafts. He challenged the denial of the preliminary inquiry report, the failure of the Inquiry Officer to generally question him as r…

In a title suit, the original defendant (Defendant No.1) failed to appear in court and her son (DW‑5) testified on her behalf. The High Court, relying on Section 120 of the Indian Evidence Act, held that the son was an incompetent witness and discarded his testimony, thereby allowing the second appeal and dismissing th…

The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority allotted a flat to Manju Jain under a hire‑purchase scheme, sending her an allotment letter by registered post and requiring acceptance and a 25% deposit within 60 days. Jain never responded, deposited no money, and after four years the Authority cancelled the allotment. Ja…

The appellant, a meter reader, was convicted under Section 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 for demanding a bribe, based primarily on a handwriting expert’s report linking him to a paper (Ex.PR) used in the alleged offence. The Supreme Court examined whether such expert opinion could be admitted witho…

The appellants purchased half of a 3.40‑hectare land from respondent No.2 in 1985, and a sale deed was executed on 02‑12‑1985 but remained unregistered due to stamp‑duty deficiency until 14‑06‑2011. Respondent No.2 later executed a second conveyance in 2010 in favour of respondent No.1 for the same land, leading the ap…

On 30 September 1996, five accused ambushed Ganeshram and his companions at a river crossing. Rammilan Lodhi and Babula Lodhi, armed with shotguns, fired, killing Ganeshram and injuring Annilal, while Prahlad, Dullam and Hukum, armed with lathis, only exhorted the shooters. The trial court convicted all under IPC secti…

The appeal concerned an award of a Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA) that had granted Canara Bank repayment of a loan from G S Jayarama without any recorded conciliation. The High Court had set aside the award, holding that the PLA lacked adjudicatory power and had bypassed mandatory conciliation steps. The Supreme Court exam…

The appellant, the younger daughter of Smt. Amarjeet Mamik, sought probate of a 2003 Will that left the entire immovable property to her, while excluding her brother and elder sister. The Trial Court and the Delhi High Court rejected the probate petition, finding numerous unexplained suspicious circumstances, including…

The trial court acquitted six accused, including A‑1, A‑2 and A‑3, for the alleged murder of Malagounda under sections 302 r/w s.34 IPC, finding the prosecution evidence unreliable and the complainant's testimony contradictory. The State appealed under s.378 CrPC, and the Karnataka High Court reversed the acquittal, co…

The appellant, Mohd. Firoz, was convicted for the rape, sexual assault and murder of a four‑year‑old girl, under Sections 302, 376(2)(i), 376(2)(m), 363, 366 IPC and Sections 5(i), 5(m), 6 POCSO. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence, the "last seen together" theory, DNA evidence and the appellant's own adm…

The Supreme Court considered appeals by four members of the Dandupalya gang convicted of murder and robbery. The trial court had relied on the accused’s voluntary statements recorded by police, shown on DVD, and a chart of gang activities to uphold death sentences under Section 396 IPC. The Court examined the admissibi…

The appellant, Balakram, was charged with murder and attempted murder and, after the prosecution's witness (the investigating officer) was examined, sought to produce copies of pages from the police diary obtained under the Right to Information Act to confront the officer. The trial court rejected the application, the …

The case concerns the murder of Jessica Lal on 30 April 1999, for which Sidhartha Vashisht (Manu Sharma) and two co‑accused were initially acquitted by the trial court. The State appealed, alleging that the prosecution had proved the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt through ocular testimony, telephone call …

The appellants were convicted of dacoity under Section 395 IPC based on eyewitness identification in court and a test identification parade conducted under a magistrate's supervision. They challenged the admissibility of the parade evidence, arguing that the delay in conducting it rendered the identification unreliable…

The case arose from a 1990 kidnapping and murder of the Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University and his personal secretary, allegedly carried out by members of the JKSLF. The CBI charged several accused, including Mohd. Salim Zargar, under the Ranbir Penal Code and the now‑repealed TADA Act. The Special Court acquitted a…

The CBI filed a case alleging that R.C. Sabharwal, a former public servant, owned assets disproportionate to his known sources of income and that his son, Puneet Sabharwal, abetted him. The trial court framed charges under Section 13(1)(e) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 and Section 10…

The appellants, Gurcharan Singh and others, obtained a decree on 9 January 1995 confirming their ownership of a suit land based on a registered will (dated 2 September 1986) and a family settlement (dated 15 June 1994) executed by the sole defendant, Bhajan Singh. Bhajan Singh had admitted these facts in his statement …

The appellants, owners of land leased for 20 years to the respondent, sought possession after the lease was deemed terminated for non‑payment of rent and after part of the land was de‑notified following acquisition under the Land Acquisition Act. The respondent claimed a share of compensation for the unexpired lease te…

The appellant, a Rajya Sabha MP and JD(U) leader, petitioned the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha to disqualify respondent Sharad Yadav under paragraph 2(1)(a) of the Tenth Schedule, alleging that Yadav had voluntarily given up JD(U) membership by aligning with the RJD. The Chairman, after due process, disqualified Yadav on…

The appellant Dhanpat sought a declaration that he, his mother and sisters were entitled to equal shares in a suit land, challenging a Will dated 30‑April‑1980 that favored his brother’s sons. The trial court and first appellate court dismissed the suit, holding that the Will was duly executed and the property had been…

The incident occurred on 11 March 1998 when the victim, Mohan Mehtar, was stopped by four accused; Bharat Singh beat him with a lathi, Balvir Singh and Bhav Singh held him, and Harnam Singh shot him at close range, causing instant death. The trial court convicted all four under sections 341, 302 and, for Harnam Singh, …

The Supreme Court examined a partition suit concerning agricultural lands of the late Muthusamy Gounder, where the trial and high courts had rejected the claim of certain parties as coparceners on the ground that the marriage of their mother to the propositus was not proved. The appellants argued that, despite the alle…

The respondent, a clerk‑cum‑cashier of Indian Overseas Bank, was dismissed after a departmental inquiry found him guilty of multiple charges including forging his sister‑in‑law's signature to open a joint account and withdraw a demand draft. The Industrial Tribunal upheld the dismissal, but the Allahabad High Court set…

The case concerned the conviction of Sudevanand and co‑accused for an attempted murder of the Chief Justice of India, based largely on the testimony of an approver, Vikram, who later retracted his earlier statements while in jail. The appellants filed three criminal miscellaneous applications after a delay of more than…

The appellant, Ramdas Bansal, held a 21‑year lease of a building (Grace Cinema Hall) on premises in Kolkata and, after the lease expired, the respondents filed a suit for vacant possession and rectification of the lease description. Bansal sought to introduce documents alleging that the respondents were "Thika" tenants…

The appellant, P. Manikandan, was originally convicted of kidnapping and murdering a four‑year‑old girl and sentenced to death, but the Madras High Court acquitted him on the ground of reasonable doubt. The High Court, however, ordered the transfer of the case file to the CBI and directed a de‑novo reinvestigation and …

The deceased, Chander Kalan, suffered 40-45% burns after an alleged kerosene incident on 18 June 1998 and died on 4 August 1998 from septicemia. The trial court acquitted the accused of Section 3048 IPC (death caused by burns) but convicted them under Section 498A IPC (dowry harassment). The High Court reversed the acq…

The Supreme Court examined two convictions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act – one involving a 12‑year‑old girl (Satish) and another involving a 5‑year‑old girl (Libnus). The central issue was the interpretation of Section 7, specifically whether "touch" or "physical contact" required "s…

The appellant alleged that respondent No.2, Nishant Solanki, who was charged with serious offences including murder, was not a juvenile and challenged the Juvenile Justice Board's (JJ Board) declaration that he was a juvenile delinquent based on his matriculation certificate. The appellant argued that the admission for…

The deceased Saroj Bai was found hanging in her matrimonial home within seven years of marriage. The State alleged that her husband’s family demanded a motorcycle as dowry, subjecting her to cruelty and harassment, thereby invoking Sections 304B and 498A of the IPC and the statutory presumption under Section 113B of th…

The respondent claimed to be the adopted son of Late Anne Seetharamaiah, seeking possession of land purchased at auction by the adoptive father. The appellant contested the adoption, arguing that the respondent was over 15 years old at the time of adoption, which under Section 10(iv) of the Hindu Adoption and Maintenan…

Abhishek Sharma was convicted of murder under Section 302 IPC for allegedly setting his colleague Mandeep Kaur on fire after a quarrel. The prosecution's case rested on four dying declarations made by the victim to various police officers, a doctor, and her mother. The Supreme Court examined the admissibility and relia…

The case involved twenty accused charged with offences including murder, rioting and attempt to murder arising from a politically‑motivated land dispute that culminated in the killing of Mudi Parandhami Reddy. The trial court acquitted all accused, but the High Court convicted accused Nos. 1‑12 under Sections 147, 148,…

The appellants Devinder @ Kala Ram, his mother and his brother's wife were convicted under Sections 498-A and 304-B of the IPC for dowry harassment and the death of Devinder's wife by burns. The Supreme Court examined the evidence, finding that witnesses PW‑2 to PW‑5 reliably proved continuous dowry harassment, thereby…

Shree Shyam Agency, a sugar manufacturer, booked a consignment under a "Self" basis and retained the railway receipt, but the buyer failed to pay and the goods were delivered to a third party without authority. The agency filed a claim petition before the Railway Claims Tribunal seeking compensation for non‑delivery, a…

The case arose from a partition suit filed in 1978 where defendants No.5 and No.12, in their 1979 written statements, admitted that they had no right, title or interest in the family property, having renounced any claim. After about 25 years they sought to amend their written statements to withdraw those admissions, an…

The Supreme Court examined an election petition challenging the election of P.K. Basheer on the ground that a leaflet (Exhibit‑P1) and various audio‑visual recordings were published to malign the petitioner, Anvar P.V., constituting a corrupt practice under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. The Court held tha…

Seven‑time MP Abhinav Mohan Delkar died by suicide on 22 February 2021, leaving a note that accused several officials of defamation, harassment and extortion. An FIR was filed under Section 306 IPC (now Section 108 BNS) read with Section 107 (now Section 45 BNS) alleging abetment of suicide, and the accused sought quas…

The Supreme Court examined whether Shrimabai, who cohabited with late Subedar Pundalik Bhave and bore two children, was entitled to his family pension after his death. Bhave had married Shrimabai while still married to his first wife Anusuya, but later obtained a divorce from Anusuya in 1990 and had the service record …

The case involves a double murder in which accused Prabhunath Singh, a sitting MP, was originally acquitted along with other co‑accused. The Supreme Court, on appeal, took judicial notice of the Patna High Court's Habeas Corpus judgment, treating it as a public document, and considered the accused's subsequent conduct …

The petition arose from the hardships faced by a child victim of sexual offence who, despite the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 and its 2020 Rules, was not provided with an effective support person. The Court examined the statutory definition, duties and entitlements of …

The appellants, brothers who co‑owned land, sued the respondents seeking a declaration that the arbitration awards and the subsequent court decrees granting title to the respondents were null and void because they were obtained through fraud and stamp‑duty evasion. The lower courts dismissed the suits on the ground tha…

The case concerned the abduction and murder of Ramesh Jain, for which six accused were convicted under sections 120B, 364A, 302, 328A and 201 of the IPC. The prosecution relied on disclosure statements, recovered items, and Call Detail Records (CDRs) of the accused’s mobile phones. The principal issue was whether the C…

A Muslim couple divorced; the wife filed a petition under Section 125 of the CrPC for maintenance, which the Family Court converted into an application under Section 3 of the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986 and ordered maintenance. The High Court set aside the conversion, holding the Family Cou…

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny, a society that had established Cluny Women’s College as a secular institution, later applied to the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI) for a minority status certificate, which was granted in 2007. The society and the college’s governing body subsequentl…

Commander Ravindra V. Desai was convicted by a court‑martial of making obscene telephone calls to the wives of three naval officers, resulting in dismissal from service and forfeiture of 24 months' seniority. The Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) upheld the conviction on seven charges but substituted the dismissal with loss …

The appellant, Mariappan, was convicted of murder and criminal intimidation for repeatedly assaulting his paternal aunt with an aruval, resulting in her death, amid a land dispute. He appealed, claiming he suffered from paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the offence and sought protection under Section 84 of the Indi…

The deceased was found unconscious on the road and taken to a hospital where he allegedly regained consciousness and made an oral dying declaration accusing Waikhom Yaima Singh of assault before dying the next morning. The trial court acquitted the accused, finding the dying declaration unreliable due to lack of medica…